The Treaty of Galatea

Signed by the Communist Brotherhood of Solar States, Elysium Protectorate, Greystar Confederacy, New Moon Cooperative, and United Nations of Worlds, the full text of the treaty is reproduced below.    (Special Thanks to Natalia Toivonen for transcribing)    In the name of peace and mutual cooperation between the polities of the Iron Stars, this document shall stand as the foundation on which a new era of peace can be built. With the conclusion of the Shaper War, it is imperative that measures be taken such that we are not tempted to turn on one another, and have means for interstellar diplomacy through open and transparent channels. We must not repeat the mistakes of our forefathers, and devolve into civil squabbles and infighting. Succeeding generations will not be forced to live in a turbulent, bloody galaxy – they will know an era of cooperation and of peace. Together, we shall see prosperity reign.   Signatories of the Treaty of Galatea agree to the following:   I. Signatories shall convene at Galatea once monthly, sending a single representative from among their number. These meetings shall be used for dispute resolution, deals and initiatives, and the advancement of common welfare and understanding. They are meetings between independent equals, and no polity shall be expected to defer to another in these affairs. a. Signatories who refuse to attend two consecutive meetings may be, at the discretion of individual member-polities, subject to trade embargo from said individual polities until such time as the polity in violation resumes attendance.   II. Signatories shall not use orbital bombardment on ground targets outside of a state of war, and shall not participate in indiscriminate bombardment of civilian targets under any circumstances.   III. Signatories shall participate in a joint research program, so as to promote the common advancement of all peoples. Rather than hoarding discoveries and devices to ourselves, they shall be shared among all. When a vote as to what direction to take research in results in a tie, nonmilitary applications of technology are to be favored. This treaty is subject to amendment and expansion, pending the unanimous decision its signatories.